136 BUMBAWA. [chap. 



cups were also for sale, but, with the exception of the bananas, no 

 fruit was to be had. 



Omar met us in brilliant attire, ornamented for the occasion 

 with a bright silk sarong, and having a large naval sword dangling 

 from his waist. He showed us a couple of letters signed with 

 French names, in which it was stated that he was to be trusted. 

 It appears, singularly enough, that a ship comes to this place every 

 year from Mauritius to buy ponies. With the exception of the 

 monthly steamer to Bima, it is probable that not another vessel 

 worthy of the name visits the island. Both Sandalwood and 

 Timor, however, export a good number of ponies. The Sumbawan 

 animals are admirable little beasts, standing about twelve hands, 

 and generally brown or skewbald. They are of good shape, and 

 in spite of their small size seem to carry almost any weight. Their 

 price ranges from twelve to fifty dollars. Buffaloes were numerous 

 in the fields, and sheep and goats were also kept by the natives, 

 who asked as much as four dollars each for them. Tame pigeons, 

 very much like our English runts, were housed in pigeon -cots 

 elevated on poles — doubtless a wise precaution, as rats were said 

 to be very abundant. 



Our bearers liaving at length appeared, we at once started. 

 Several stray natives had joined us, and we formed a large party. 

 The road was broad enough to have admitted three carriages 

 abreast, but we saw no wheeled vehicles on the island. It led 

 straight southward through a plain yellow with ripe padi. Every- 

 where great numbers of the natives were to be seen. Many were 

 engaged in the fields, cutting rice and stacking it on the backs of 

 the ponies. Groups of them met or overtook us, all of whom were 

 mounted, and all, whether at work in the fields or riding, were 

 armed with spear and kris. The latter weapons are of excellent 

 workmanship. The steel is purposely left impolished, and is, in 

 fact, quite rough. The blades are valued according to the " twist," 

 which is often as well worked as in a pair of Damascus barrels by 

 a o-ood EnsHsh {lunmaker. Most of them have a sinuous curve and 



